THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The defending National Champions Cal Lutheran baseball started their season on a strong note over the weekend, winning two out three games in the Cactus Classic in Tucson, Ariz. The Kingsmen dropped a 6-12 decision to Concordia (Texas) before bouncing back to beat Sul Ross State 12-10 at the Kino Sports Complex.

CU def. CLU
In the beginning of the second game of the weekend, the Kingsmen started off great. In the top of the first inning, Ryne Yamashiro doubled allowing Weston Clark to score the first run of the game. However, the Tornados answered back in the bottom of the first with three runs.

Six different Kingsmen tallied at least one hit while Matt Sciumbato led the team with two RBIs. Cal Lutheran fought hard but the Tornados kept the momentum and walked away with the 12-6 victory.
 
CLU def. SRS
In the final game of the weekend, the Kingsmen came away with a two-run victory over the Lobos. After Tanner Wright, Alec Iniguez and Clark singled to lead off the inning, Yamashiro executed a sacrifice fly to advance the runners and bring Wright home. With runners in scoring position, Cheynne Giles grounded out to third base to bring in Iniguez.

Wright led the Kingsmen with three RBIs and both Iniguez and Wright tallied four hits apiece. On the mound, sophomore Troy Frazier got the start and went 2.67 innings allowing nine hits while striking out four. Justin Fong and Scott Roberts were strong in relief while Christian Slattery earned the win after pitching 1.67 innings with three strikeouts.

Cal Lutheran (4-2) begins Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Friday, Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. as the Kingsmen head down to La Verne to play the Leopards.

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Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director